Methods of playing soccer games

ABSTRACT

A method of play is provided that includes (a) identifying a starting position from which each individual player attempts to kick a ball into a goal area, (b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from the starting position into the goal area to obtain a goal, (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player, and (d) determining a winner based on the highest score. In some exemplary embodiments, the method of play may be a single round of play between any number of opposing teams, or the method may between individual players. In other exemplary embodiments, the method of play may include one or more subsequent rounds of play that comprise additional steps.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods of playing a sports-relatedactivity, and more particularly to sports-related activities thatinclude the scoring of a goal.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Various sports-related activities involve the use of a ball, whichplayers on opposing teams maneuver in an attempt to place the ball intoa goal area to score a goal. An example of one such sport is that ofsoccer. Such games require significant time and development for playersto maneuver the ball into a position from which a player may attempt toscore. As such, these sports are often slow in developing scoringopportunities that are exciting to spectators.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of methods forplaying a game on a field in which play comprises individual playerssuccessively attempting to kick a ball into a goal. In the variousexemplary embodiments, a method of play is provided that comprises (a)identifying a starting position from which each individual playerattempts to kick a ball into a goal area, (b) having each individualplayer attempt to kick a ball from the starting position into the goalarea to obtain a goal, (c) awarding scores, points, or values for eachgoal that is kicked by a player, and (d) determining a winner based onthe highest score. In some exemplary embodiments, the method of play maybe a single round of play between opposing teams and/or betweenindividual players, after which the method proceeds in (d) determiningthe team or individual player with the highest score resulting from theabove steps. In other embodiments, the method of play may furtherinclude one or more subsequent rounds of play that comprise additionalsteps.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 shows an elevated view of a playing field on which an exemplaryembodiment of a method of play is being performed;

FIG. 2 shows an elevated view of a playing field on which a secondexemplary embodiment of a method of play is being performed;

FIG. 3 shows an elevated view of a playing field on which a thirdexemplary embodiment of a method of play is being performed;

FIG. 4 shows an elevated view of a playing field on which a fourthexemplary embodiment of a method of play is being performed; and

FIG. 5 shows an elevated view of a goal area against which embodimentsof a method of play between individual players may be performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of methods forplaying a soccer-type game in which play comprises individual playerssuccessively attempting to kick a ball into a goal. In the variousexemplary embodiments, a method of play is provided that comprises (a)identifying a starting position from which an individual player attemptsto kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area, (b) having eachindividual player attempt to kick a ball from the starting position pasta goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal, and (c) awarding scoresfor each goal that is kicked by a player to the individual player orplayer's respective team, whichever is appropriate. In some exemplaryembodiments, the method of play may be a single round of play betweenindividual players or teams having a plurality of players, after whichthe method proceeds in (d) determining a winning player or team with thehighest score resulting from the above steps. In other exemplaryembodiments, the method of play may include a subsequent round thatcomprises (e) identifying a second starting position that is at adifferent location than the first starting position, from whichindividual players attempt to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea. Upon completion of each round of play, the method of play may thenproceed in (h) determining the team with the highest score resultingfrom steps (a) through (g).

In other exemplary embodiments, methods are provided for playing asoccer-type game between individual players, or any number of opposingteams. The teams may have an even number of players, but need not belimited as such. In the various exemplary embodiments, a method of playis provided that comprises (a) identifying a starting position fromwhich each individual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie intoa goal area, (b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ballfrom the starting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain agoal, until all of the players on each team have each made one kickattempt, and (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by aplayer to the player's respective team. In some exemplary embodiments,the method of play may be a single round of play between opposing teams,after which the method proceeds in (d) determining the team with thehighest score resulting from the above steps. In other exemplaryembodiments, the method of play may include a subsequent round thatcomprises (e) identifying a second starting position that is at adifferent location than the first starting position, from which eachindividual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea. Upon completion of each round of play, the method of play may thenproceed in (h) determining the team with the highest score resultingfrom steps (a) through (g). The method of play may include a subsequentround that comprises (e) identifying a second starting position that isdifferent from the first starting position, from which each individualplayer attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area. Uponcompletion of as many rounds of play that may be desired, the method ofplay may then proceed in (h) determining the team with the highest scoreresulting from steps (a) through (g).

It should be noted that various modifications may be made to each of theexemplary embodiments to include further steps or features relating tothe method of play. Such modifications may include a subsequent round ofplay in which the starting position is of a distance from the goal thatis farther than the distance of the first starting position from thegoal. Alternatively, the method of play in the subsequent round mayinclude a second starting position that is at an angle relative to thegoal. In situations where play is between teams having an equal numberof players, the method of play may include having kick attemptsalternate between opposing team players until all of the players havetaken a kick or shot, or alternatively having kick attempts takensuccessively by players of the same team.

Likewise, the disclosed methods of playing a soccer-type game may awarddifferent score values for shots taken from different positions. Forinstance, a method of play may award a score value for a goal kickedinto the goal area from the second starting position that is higher thanthe score value for a goal kicked into the goal area from the firststarting position. This may be justified where, for example, the firststarting position is a center position in front of the goal area and thesecond starting position is a corner position on a side of the goal areathat would tend to be a more difficult shot because of the distance orangle. Thus, the method may award a higher score value for a ball kickedby a player into the goal area from a higher difficultly position thanfor a ball kicked by a player into the goal area from a lower difficultyposition. Advantages of the below described embodiments and variationsshould be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, as to providingmethods of playing soccer-type games that may be both higher scoring andmore entertaining to play and watch. Accordingly, it is not intendedthat the invention be limited by the particular embodiments or formsdescribed below, and additional design considerations may beincorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

In a first embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplay comprises individual players attempting to kick a ball into a goal,the method of play is played between opposing teams having a pluralityof players. Referring to FIG. 1, the method of play is intended to beplayed on a field 100 from which a player 104 may kick a ball 108 past agoalie 112 towards the goal area 116. It should be noted that the termfield may comprise an outdoor or indoor field, but could also beunderstood to include a gymnasium, parking lot, beach, or any locationhaving an area appropriate for permitting play of the disclosed methods.Likewise, the field preferably comprises a grass or artificial turfsurface, but may be understood to include a floor, pavement, sand, orany suitable alternative surfaces. It should be understood that the sizeof the field or playing surface may vary. In one example, the fieldcould be an indoor soccer field having a width of approximately 70 feetand a length of approximately 90 feet. Another example of a field couldbe an outdoor soccer field having a width of 147 to 295 ft wide (45 to90 meters) and a length of 295 to 393 ft long (90 to 120 meters). Butthe above descriptions are merely for purposes of illustrating exemplaryplaying areas, and any area of appropriate size for permitting play ofthe disclosed methods may be utilized.

The goal area 116 may be in the form of a target, a goal area, a goalopening, a goal box enclosed by a net, or any other comparable means forproviding a goal area. While the goal area 116 show in FIG. 1 includes anet, it should be understood that the goal area may include othersuitable forms for which a ball may be kicked at. It should be notedthat the goal area may comprise forms other than a net, and mayalternatively comprise a target surface. In the example shown in FIG. 1,the goal area 116 is comparable to a goal area similar to that used onan indoor soccer field. The size of the goal area may be, for example,24 feet wide by 8 feet high but could be made of any larger or smallersize as desired. It should also be noted that the ball 108 could be ofany size and form as well.

The method may further include a goalie 112, who attempts to block orprevent a ball kicked by an individual player from reaching or goinginto the goal area 116. The field 100 may further include an area inwhich the goalie may use his hands in attempting to block a kick. In thefield shown in FIG. 1, this area is about 20 feet out from the goal areaor goal box, and extends about 20 feet on either side of the goal. Itshould be noted, however, that the various disclosed methods may beplayed without such an area as well, and that this feature is merelyoptional.

The first embodiment of a method of play may be conducted on an outdooror indoor soccer field, which may further include a penalty area(sometimes called the “18”) that measures 54 feet (18 yards) out fromthe goal line by 132 feet (44 yards wide). Such soccer fields mayfurther include a penalty shot point, which may be 36 feet from the goalarea, as well as corner areas or arcs, within which the ball may beplaced when a corner kick is taken. In the first embodiment of a methodof playing a soccer-type game, the method comprises the steps of (a)identifying a starting position 120 from which each individual player104 will attempt to kick a ball 108 past a goalie 112 to a goal area116. The starting position 120 may be any desired position on the field,such as the location marked on the field from which a penalty shot maybe taken. While typical soccer fields may include several markers forpenalty and corner kick locations, it should be noted that the presentmethods of play may utilize any select location on the field as astarting point, including points other than those specific locationsalready marked on the field 100.

In the first embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamebetween teams having a plurality of players, the method identifies astarting position 120 from which each individual player 104 attempts tokick a ball 108 past a goalie 112 to a goal area 116. The teams may havean even number of players, but need not be limited as such. The startingposition 120 (shown as an “X” in FIG. 1) is at a center position thatmay be anywhere from 30 to 39 feet from the goal area 116, for example.In other embodiments, different indicators besides the letter “X” may beused for indicating the starting position.

The method of play proceeds with the step of (b) having each individualplayer 104 attempt to kick a ball 108 from the starting position 120past the goalie 112 to the goal area 116 to try and obtain a goal. Itshould be understood that kick attempts will be made by each individualplayer, preferably until each player has made one kick attempt. The kickattempts may alternate between opposing team players until all of theplayers have taken a kick attempt or shot, or alternatively the kickattempts may be taken successively by individual players of the sameteam. The method then proceeds to (c) awarding scores for each goal thatis kicked by a player to the player's respective team, and (d)determining the team with the highest score resulting from the abovesteps.

The first embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game would, atthe very least, proceed to proclaim the winning team by determining theteam with the highest score resulting from steps (a) through (d).Alternatively, the first embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-typegame may further include a subsequent round of play. The subsequentround of play may further comprise the steps of (e) identifying anotherstarting position different from the first starting position 120 fromwhich each individual player 104 attempts to kick a ball 108 past agoalie 112 to a goal area 116, (f) having each individual player 104attempt to kick a ball 108 from the starting position 120 past thegoalie 112 to the goal area 116 to try and obtain a goal, and (g)awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to the player'srespective team. Thus, the first embodiment of a method of playing asoccer-type game could include one or more subsequent rounds of play,each comprising a different starting position from the other rounds.After completion of the one or more rounds of play, the method wouldproceed to proclaim the winning team by determining the team with thehighest score resulting from play according to the preceding steps inthe various rounds of play. In this manner, the first embodiment of amethod of playing a soccer-type game in which players attempt to kick aball from an identified position into a goal would have much higherscoring opportunities than that of conventional soccer, and wouldprovide a more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watchlive or on television, listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In an alternate variation of the first embodiment of a method of playinga soccer-type game, the method may alternatively be played without agoalie. In such a method of play, each individual player 104 wouldattempt to kick a ball 108 from the starting position 120 to the goalarea 116. The goal area 116 may be a reduced-size goal area, which wouldincrease the difficulty of scoring a goal where a goalie is not present.The goal area 116 may also include a target area within the goal areathat the individual player attempts to kick the ball towards, where theplayer is awarded an additional or higher score, value, or points if theball hits the target area. Alternatively, the goal area 116 may alsoinclude at least one opening, zone, or target area within the goal area116, where a player that kicks a ball to the opening, zone, or targetarea within the goal area may, in some embodiments, receive a higherscore or alternatively an additional score component. In this alternatevariation of the first embodiment, the method may be played without theneed for a goalie, such that the soccer-type game becomes a competitivegame of accuracy. In this manner, the alternate variation of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game in which players attempt to kick a ball froman identified position into a goal would have much higher scoringopportunities than that of conventional soccer, and would provide a moreentertaining and exciting game for spectators to watch live or ontelevision, listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In a second embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich play also comprises individual players attempting to kick a ballinto a goal, the method of play is played between opposing teams havinga plurality of players that kick from one of two positions. The teamsmay have an even number of players, but need not be limited as such.Referring to FIG. 2, the method of play is intended to be played on afield 200 from which a player 204 may kick a ball 208 past a goalie 212towards the goal area 216. It should be noted that the term field maycomprise an outdoor or indoor field, but could also be understood toinclude a gymnasium, parking lot, beach, or any location having an areaappropriate for permitting play of the disclosed methods. In the secondembodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game, the methodincludes the step of (a) identifying a starting position 222 from whicheach individual player 204 attempts to kick a ball 208 past a goalie 212to a goal area 216. The starting position 222 shown in FIG. 2 is at acenter position anywhere from 40 to 60 feet, for example, from the goalarea 216 (which starting position may be farther away from the goal area216 than the starting position in the first embodiment). The method ofplay then proceeds to (b) having each individual player 204 attempt tokick a ball 208 from the starting position 222 past the goalie 112 tothe goal area 216 to try and obtain a goal. It should be understood thatkick attempts will be made by each individual player. The kick attemptsmay alternate between opposing team players until all of the playershave made a kick attempt or taken a shot, or alternatively the kickattempts may be taken successively by individual players of the sameteam. When each individual player has completed one kick attempt, themethod then proceeds to (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kickedby a player to the player's respective team.

In the second embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game, themethod then proceeds to a subsequent round of play in step (d). If, atstep (d) an individual player did not score a goal in the precedinground of play, the individual player's starting point in the subsequentround of play is located at center position 222, or alternativelyanother equivalent position having a distance from the goal equal to orgreater than that of position 222. If, at step (d) an individual playerscored a goal in the preceding round of play, the individual player'sstarting point in the subsequent round of play is located at a closerposition to the goal area 216. The closer position may be, for example,a center position approximately 30 to 39 feet from the goal area 216,for example, as in the first embodiment. At step (e) the individualplayer 204 then attempts to kick the ball 208 into the goal area 216. Ifthe individual player 204 kicks the ball 208 from the closer centerposition into the goal area 216 to score a goal, the player 204 would beentitled to the same starting point (approximately 30 to 36 feet fromthe goal area 216) in a subsequent round of play. If the player 204 doesnot succeed in kicking the ball 208 into the goal area 216, the player204 may have to return to the starting position 222 in a subsequentround of play. (Alternatively, the method could be played such that anyplayer who scores from the first starting position may thereafter makeall subsequent kick attempts from the closer position, such that eachplayer is motivated to score from the first starting position to advanceto the closer starting position). At the end of the subsequent round inwhich each individual player has completed steps (d) and (e), the methodthen proceeds to (f) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by aplayer to the player's respective team.

In this manner, the second embodiment would allow a player to continueto make kick attempts from a closer position in subsequent rounds ofplay as long as the player continues to score goals, and upon missingthe goal the player must return to the starting point 222. This wouldincite even more competition among team players to score a goal. Thus,the second embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game couldinclude one or more subsequent rounds of play, in which scoring playerswill have an improved chance of scoring from a position closer to thegoal area. After completion of the one or more rounds of play, themethod would proceed to proclaim the winning team by determining theteam with the highest score resulting from play according to thepreceding steps in the various rounds of play. In this manner, thesecond embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplayers attempt to kick a ball from an identified position into a goalwould have much higher scoring opportunities than that of conventionalsoccer, and would provide a more entertaining and exciting game forspectators to watch live or on television, for listeners of a radiobroadcast, etc.

In an alternate variation of the second embodiment of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game, the method may alternatively be playedwithout a goalie. In such a method of play, each individual player 204would attempt to kick a ball 208 from the starting position 220 to thegoal area 216. The goal area 216 may be a reduced-size goal area, whichwould increase the difficulty of scoring a goal where a goalie is notpresent. The goal area 216 may also include a target area within thegoal area that the individual player attempts to kick the ball towards,where the player is awarded an additional or higher score, value orpoints if the ball hits the target area. Alternatively, the goal area216 may also include at least one opening, zone, or target area withinthe goal area 216, where a player that kicks a ball to the opening, zoneor target area within the goal area may, in some embodiments, receive ahigher score or alternatively an additional score component. In thisalternate variation of the second embodiment, the method may be playedwithout the need for a goalie, such that the soccer-type game becomes acompetitive game of accuracy. In this manner, the alternate variation ofa method of playing a soccer-type game in which players attempt to kicka ball from an identified position into a goal would have much higherscoring opportunities than that of conventional soccer, and wouldprovide a more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watchlive or on television, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In a third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplay also comprises individual players attempting to kick a ball into agoal, the method of play is played between opposing teams having aplurality of players that kick from two or more positions. The teams mayhave an even number of players, but need not be limited as such.Referring to FIG. 3, the method of play is intended to be played on afield 300 from which a player 304 may kick a ball 308 past a goalie 312towards the goal area 316, as shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted thatthe term field may comprise an outdoor or indoor field, but could alsobe understood to include a gymnasium, parking lot, beach, or anylocation having an area appropriate for permitting play of the disclosedmethods. In the third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-typegame, the method begins with the step of (a) identifying at least onestarting position from which each individual player 304 attempts to kicka ball 308 past a goalie 312 to a goal area 316. As shown in FIG. 3, thefield 300 may have a number of starting positions 320-328 from which aplayer may kick a ball 308 from. The starting position 320 shown in FIG.3 is at a center position that may be anywhere from 30 to 39 feet fromthe goal area 316, for example. The starting positions 324, 326, and 328are further away from the goal area 316 than the starting point 320, andare preferably a predetermined distance 334 from the starting point 320,which distance is at least 8 feet. The starting point 322 is evenfurther away from the goal area 316 than the starting point 320, and ispreferably a predetermined distance 332 from the starting point 320,which distance is at least 16 feet. The various starting positions 320through 328 each have a different score value associated with eachposition, such that a player 304 kicking a ball 308 to the goal area 316from one of the given starting positions may be awarded a differentscore based on the difficulty or distance from the goal area of theparticular starting position. For illustration purposes, the scoreawarded for kicking a ball 308 into the goal area 316 from centerposition 320 may be 1 point, for example, while the score awarded forkicking a ball 308 into the goal area 316 from positions 324, 326 or 328may be 2 points, for example. The score awarded for kicking a ball 308into the goal area 316 from position 322 may be 3 points, for example.The third embodiment of a method of play may include any number ofstarting positions from which a player may have more difficulty scoringa goal from, such as corner positions 336 and 338 having a high anglewith respect to the goal area 316. These positions would have a higherdifficulty and a higher score value associated with the position.However, it should be noted that these described positions are merelyexemplary, and any desired starting position or any number of positionsmay be used in practicing the exemplary embodiments.

In the third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamebetween opposing teams having a plurality of players, the method of playcomprises the steps of (a) identifying a starting position from whicheach individual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea, (b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from thestarting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal,until all of the players on each team have each made one kick attempt,(c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theplayer's respective team, and (d) determining the team with the highestscore resulting from the above steps. It should be noted that the stepof identifying a starting position may comprise selecting from theplurality of starting positions 320 through 328 a starting position fromwhich the individual players will attempt to kick a ball past a goalieinto a goal area. Thus, each of the individual players will completetheir attempt of kicking the ball into the goal from the same identifiedposition. The teams may have an even number of players, but need not belimited as such.

The third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game would, atthe very least, proceed to proclaim the winning team by determining theteam with the highest score resulting from steps (a) through (d).Alternatively, the third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-typegame may further include a subsequent round of play. The subsequentround of play may comprise (e) selecting from a plurality of positionsanother starting position that is different from the first startingposition 320 from which each individual player 304 attempts to kick aball 308 past a goalie 312 to a goal area 316, (f) having eachindividual player 304 attempt to kick a ball 308 from the startingposition 320 past the goalie 312 to the goal area 316 to try and obtaina goal, and (g) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a playerto the player's respective team. The third embodiment would furthercomprise the step of (h) determining the team with the highest scoreresulting from steps (a) through (g).

Thus, the third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamecould include one or more subsequent rounds of play, in which individualplayers 304 will have an improved chance of obtaining higher scores bykicking goals from different positions of varying difficulty and varyingdistance relative to the goal area. After completion of the one or morerounds of play, the method of the third embodiment would proceed toproclaim the winning team by determining the team with the highest scoreresulting from play according to the preceding steps in the variousrounds of play. In this manner, the third embodiment of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game in which players attempt to kick a ball froman identified position into a goal would have much higher scoringopportunities than that of conventional soccer, and would also provide amore entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watch live or ontelevision, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In an alternate variation of the third embodiment of a method of playinga soccer-type game, the method may alternatively be played without agoalie. In such a method of play, each individual player 304 wouldattempt to kick a ball 308 from a starting position to the goal area316. The goal area 316 may be a reduced-size goal area, which wouldincrease the difficulty of scoring a goal where a goalie is not present.The goal area 316 may also include a target area within the goal areathat the individual player attempts to kick the ball towards, where theplayer is awarded an additional or higher score, value, or points if theball hits the target area. Alternatively, the goal area 316 may alsoinclude at least one opening, zone, or target area within the goal area316, where a player that kicks a ball to the opening, zone, or targetarea within the goal area may, in some embodiments, receive a higherscore or alternatively an additional score component. In this alternatevariation of the third embodiment, the method would comprise the stepsof (a) selecting from a plurality of positions a starting position fromwhich each individual player attempts to kick a ball into a goal area,(b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from thestarting position into the goal area to obtain a goal, until all of theplayers on each team have each made one kick attempt, (c) awardingscores for each goal that is kicked by a player to the player'srespective team, and (d) determining the team with the highest scoreresulting from the above steps. The alternate variation of the thirdembodiment may be played without the need for a goalie, such that thesoccer-type game becomes a competitive game of accuracy. In this manner,the alternate variation of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich players attempt to kick a ball into a goal would have much higherscoring opportunities than that of conventional soccer, and wouldprovide a more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watchlive or on television, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In a fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich play also comprises individual players attempting to kick a ballinto a goal, the method of play is played between opposing teams havinga plurality of players that each may select a starting point from one ofa plurality of positions. The teams may have an even number of players,but need not be limited as such. Referring to FIG. 4, the method of playis intended to be played on a field 400 from which a player 404 may kicka ball 408 past a goalie 412 towards the goal area 416. As shown in FIG.4, the field 400 may have a number of starting positions 420 through 428from which a player may kick a ball 408 from. The various startingpositions 420 through 428 each have a different score value associatedwith each position (as just described for the preceding embodiment).Thus, an individual player 404 may select from any one of the givenstarting positions a desired position from which to attempt to kick aball 408 from. The player may accordingly select a given startingpositions based on the score value that the player would like toachieve, or be awarded if the player 404 successfully kicks the ball 408from the selected position into the goal area 416.

In the fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game, themethod comprises the steps of (a) identifying a plurality of startingpositions, from which each individual player selects a desired startingposition where the individual player will attempt to kick a ball past agoalie into a goal area, (b) having each individual player attempt tokick a ball from the starting position past a goalie into the goal areato obtain a goal, until all of the players on each team have each madeone kick attempt, (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by aplayer to the player's respective team, and (d) determining the teamwith the highest score resulting from the above steps. Upon completingthe above steps, the fourth embodiment of a method of play may furtherinclude a subsequent round of play. In the subsequent round of play,individual players may again select from the plurality of positions anydesired position that they want to kick from. If the individual player'steam has a score that is far behind that of their opponent, theindividual player may chose to select a higher difficulty position fromwhich to attempt a kick from. In this manner, the player may obtain ahigher score for a goal to quickly bring his team back into contentionwith the opposing team. Thus, the subsequent round of play would furthercomprise the steps of (e) having each individual player select from theplurality of positions a desired starting position where the individualplayer will attempt to kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area, (f)having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from a selectedstarting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal,until all of the players on each team have each made one kick attempt,(g) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theplayer's respective team, and (h) determining the team with the highestscore resulting from the preceding steps.

Thus, the fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamecould include one or more subsequent rounds of play, in which individualplayers 404 will have an improved chance of obtaining higher scores bykicking goals from different positions of varying difficulty and varyingscore values, such that each player may obtain a higher goal score toquickly bring his team back into contention with an opposing team. Aftercompletion of the one or more rounds of play, the method of the fourthembodiment would proceed to proclaim the winning team by determining theteam with the highest score resulting from play according to thepreceding steps in the various rounds of play. In this manner, thefourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplayers select a position from which they will attempt to kick a ballinto a goal would have much higher scoring opportunities than that ofconventional soccer, and would also provide a more entertaining andexciting game for spectators to watch live or on television, forlisteners of a radio broadcast, etc. Thus, the game would be moreentertaining for viewers and/or radio broadcast listeners by providingvarying scoring opportunities.

As an illustration of the fourth embodiment, in a match between twoteams in which one team is behind by four goals and would almost beeliminated from contention such that the game would become boring to thespectator, the higher scoring opportunities provided by more difficultstarting positions would allow players to get more points with riskiershots (from farther distances and/or greater angles), allowing the teamto plan a strategy to be able to get back into contention. Accordingly,the fourth embodiment of a method of play may include any number ofstarting positions from which a player may have more difficulty scoringa goal from, such as corner positions 436 and 438 having a high anglewith respect to the goal area 416. These positions would have a higherdifficulty and a higher score value associated with the position.

In an alternate variation of the fourth embodiment of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game, the method may alternatively be playedwithout a goalie. In such a method of play, each individual player 404would attempt to kick a ball 408 from a starting position to the goalarea 416. The goal area 416 may be a reduced-size goal area, which wouldincrease the difficulty of scoring a goal where a goalie is not present.The goal area 416 may also include a target area within the goal areathat the individual player attempts to kick the ball towards, where theplayer is awarded an additional or higher score, value, or points if theball hits the target area. Alternatively, the goal area 416 may alsoinclude at least one opening, zone, or target area (such as 442 or 444for example) within the goal area 416, where a player that kicks a ballto the opening, zone, or target area within the goal area may, in someembodiments, receive a higher score or alternatively an additional scorecomponent. In this alternate variation of the fourth embodiment, themethod would comprise the steps of (a) identifying a plurality ofpositions from which each individual player selects a starting positionwhere the individual player attempts to kick a ball into a goal area,(b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from a selectedstarting position into the goal area to obtain a goal, until all of theplayers on each team have each made one kick attempt, (c) awardingscores for each goal that is kicked by a player to the player'srespective team, and (d) determining the team with the highest scoreresulting from the above steps. The alternate variation of the fourthembodiment may be played without the need for a goalie, such that thesoccer-type game becomes a competitive game of accuracy. In this manner,the alternate variation of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich players attempt to kick a ball into a goal would have much higherscoring opportunities than that of conventional soccer, and wouldprovide a more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watchlive or on television, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

It should be noted that in either the fourth embodiment of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game, or the alternate variation of the fourthembodiment, the method may further comprise the step of awarding ahigher score value for a ball kicked into a preferable zone within thegoal area than for a goal kicked into the goal area outside of apreferable zone. As shown in FIG. 4, the goal area 416 may include atleast two preferable zones 442 and 444 in the upper corners of the goalarea 416, where a player that kicks a ball 408 that passes through thezones or openings 442 or 444 would received a higher score for the goal,or alternatively an additional score component. As an illustration, aplayer that kicks a ball into the goal area 416 outside of thepreferable zones may normally be awarded 1 point, for example, while aplayer that kicks a ball into the goal area 416 within one of thepreferable zones 442 or 444 may received an additional point and wouldbe awarded 2 points, for example.

In other exemplary embodiments, a method is provided for playing asoccer-type game between several individual players that each competewith each other, where each player attempts to kick a ball from anidentified position into a goal area. In these embodiments, the methodof play is not focused on team play but rather focuses on competitionbetween individual players. In the various embodiments of a method ofplaying a soccer-type game, the method of play is intended to be playedon a field 500 from which a player may kick a ball past a goalie 512towards the goal area 516, as shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted thatthe term field may comprise an outdoor or indoor field, but could alsobe understood to include a gymnasium, parking lot, beach, or anylocation having an area appropriate for permitting play of the disclosedmethods. The goal area 516 may be in the form of a target, a goalopening, a goal box enclosed by a net, or any other comparable means forproviding a goal area, and the goal area 516 could be made of any sizeas desired. Alternatively, the goal area 516 may also include at leastone opening, zone, or target area within the goal area (such as areas542 and 544), where a player that kicks a ball to the opening, zone ortarget area within the goal area may, in some embodiments, receive ahigher score or alternatively an additional score component.Accordingly, a plurality of individual players may play according to thevarious disclosed methods in a competition between the players todetermine an individual winning player. Various exemplary embodiments ofmethods of playing a soccer-type game in which individual playerscompete against each other by attempting to kick a ball from anidentified position to a goal area are disclosed below.

In a first embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplay comprises players attempting to kick a ball into a goal, the methodof play is played between individual players. The first embodiment of amethod of play between individual players comprises the steps of (a)identifying a starting position from which each individual playerattempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area, (b) having eachindividual player attempt to kick a ball from the starting position pasta goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal, until all of the playershave each made one kick attempt, and (c) awarding scores for each goalthat is kicked by a player to the player. In the first embodiment, themethod of play may further comprise the step of (d) eliminating some ofthe players from subsequent play, based on the individual player'sscore. The step (d) of eliminating some of the players may compriseeliminating those players who have not scored a goal in the precedingsteps (or round of play), such that only the players that successfullykicked a ball into the goal area may advance to a subsequent round ofplay. The first embodiment of a method may further comprise the steps of(e) identifying another starting position different from the firststarting position, from which each individual player attempts to kick aball past a goalie into a goal area, (f) having each individual playerattempt to kick a ball from the identified starting position past agoalie into the goal area to obtain a goal, until all of the playershave each made one kick attempt, and (g) awarding scores for each goalthat is kicked by a player to the player. Accordingly, a subsequentround of play may be conducted with those players that advanced to thesubsequent round of play. The subsequent round of play in the firstembodiment may further comprise the step of (h) eliminating some of theplayers from subsequent play, based on the individual player's scoreafter the subsequent round of play. This step of eliminating some of theplayers may comprise eliminating those players who have not scored agoal in the preceding round of play, such that only the players thatsuccessfully kicked a ball into the goal area may advance to anothersubsequent round of play. Thus, the above steps may be iterativelyrepeated to successively eliminate players such that there will be fewerplayers in each round, until there is a single player left that becomesthe winner.

In a second embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich play comprises players attempting to kick a ball into a goal, themethod of play is played between individual players. The secondembodiment of a method of play between individual players comprises thesteps of (a) identifying a starting position from which each individualplayer attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area, (b)having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from the startingposition past a goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal, until all ofthe players have each made one kick attempt, and (c) awarding scores foreach goal that is kicked by a player to the player. The method furthercomprises the step (d) of eliminating some of the players, whichcomprises repeating steps (a) through (c) a predetermined number oftimes, after which players that have less than a minimum predeterminedscore are eliminated from subsequent play. In this manner, only theplayers that have successfully kicked a ball into the goal area acertain number of times may advance to a subsequent round of play.Alternatively, the step of eliminating some of the players may compriserepeating steps (a) through (c) a predetermined number of times, afterwhich a given number of the highest scoring players will advance tosubsequent play. In this second embodiment of a method of playing withindividual players, the above steps may be iteratively repeated tosuccessively eliminate players such that there will be fewer players ineach round, until there is a single player left that becomes the winner.

In a third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplay comprises players attempting to kick a ball into a goal, the methodof play is played between individual players. The third embodiment of amethod of play comprises the step of (a) identifying a starting positionfrom which each individual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalieto a goal area. The starting position may be, for example, a centerposition approximately 44 to 52 feet from the goal area 516. The methodof play then proceeds to (b) having each individual player attempt tokick a ball from the starting position past the goalie 512 to the goalarea 516 to try and obtain a goal. It should be understood that kickattempts will be made by each individual player until all of the playershave each made one kick attempt. When all of the individual players havecompleted one kick attempt, the method then proceeds with step (c)awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theindividual player.

In the third embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamebetween individual players, the method then proceeds to a subsequentround of play in step (d). If, at step (d) an individual player did notscore a goal in the preceding round of play, the individual player'sstarting point in the subsequent round of play is located at the samestarting position as in the preceding round, or another position ofequivalent distance. If, at step (d) an individual player scored a goalin the preceding round of play, the individual player's starting pointin the subsequent round of play is located at a new position that iscloser to the goal area 516 than that of the starting position in thepreceding round. The closer starting position may be, for example, acenter position approximately 30 to 36 feet from the goal area 516. Atstep (e) the individual player then attempts to kick the ball into thegoal area 516. If the individual player kicks the ball from the closerposition into the goal area 516 to score a goal, the player would beentitled to the same closer starting point in a subsequent round ofplay. If the player does not succeed in kicking the ball into the goalarea 516, the player must return to a starting point that is of afurther distance from the goal, such as the starting point in the firstround of play. At the end of the subsequent round in which eachindividual player has completed steps (d) and (e) the method thenproceeds to (f) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a playerto the individual player. The third embodiment of a method of playbetween individual players then proceeds to step (g) in eliminating someof the players, which may comprise selecting a predetermined number ofthe highest scoring players to advance to subsequent rounds of play. Inthis third embodiment, the above steps may be iteratively repeated tosuccessively eliminate players such that there will be fewer players ineach round, until there is a single player left that becomes the winner.

In a fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game inwhich play comprises players attempting to kick a ball into a goal, themethod of play is played between individual players. In this method,play is intended to be played on a field in which a plurality ofstarting positions at various locations on the field is identified. Thevarious starting positions have a different score value associated witheach position. Thus, an individual player may select from any one of thegiven starting positions a desired position from which to attempt tokick a ball from into the goal area 516. The player may accordinglyselect a given starting positions based on the score value that theplayer would like to be awarded if the player successfully kicks theball from the selected position into the goal area 516. The fourthembodiment of a method of play between individual players comprises thesteps of (a) having each individual player select from a plurality ofstarting positions a desired starting position, from which theindividual player will attempt to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea, (b) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball fromtheir selected starting position past a goalie into the goal area toobtain a goal, until all of the players have each made one kick attempt,(c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theindividual player, and (d) determining the individual player with thehighest score resulting from the above steps.

The fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game betweenindividual players would, at the very least, proceed to proclaim thewinning player by determining the individual player with the highestscore resulting from steps (a) through (d). Alternatively, the fourthembodiment of a method of play between individual players may furtherinclude a subsequent round of play. The subsequent round of play mayfurther comprise the steps of (e) having each individual player selectfrom a plurality of starting positions a desired starting position, fromwhich the individual player will attempt to kick a ball past a goalieinto a goal area, (f) having each individual player attempt to kick aball from their selected starting position past a goalie into the goalarea to obtain a goal, until all of the players have each made one kickattempt, (g) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player tothe individual player, and (h) determining the individual player withthe highest score resulting from the above steps. Thus, the fourthembodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game between individualplayers could include one or more subsequent rounds of play, eachcomprising a different starting position from the other rounds. Aftercompletion of the one or more rounds of play, the method would proceedto proclaim the winning player by determining the individual player withthe highest score resulting from play according to the preceding stepsin the various rounds of play. In this manner, the fourth embodiment ofa method of playing a soccer-type game in which players attempt to kicka ball from a selected position into a goal would have much higherscoring opportunities than that of conventional soccer, and wouldprovide a more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watchlive or on television, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

Upon completing the above steps, the alternate variation of the fourthembodiment may further include a subsequent round of play. In thesubsequent round of play, individual players may select from theplurality of positions any desired position that they want to kick from.If the individual player's team score is far behind that of theiropponent, the individual player may chose to select a higher difficultyposition from which to attempt a kick from. In this manner, the playermay obtain a higher score to quickly bring his team back into contentionwith their opponent. The subsequent round of play would further comprisethe steps of (e) identifying a plurality of starting positions fromwhich each individual player selects a desired position from which theindividual player will attempt to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea, (f) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from thestarting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal,until all of the players on each team have each made one kick attempt,(g) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theplayer's respective team, and (h) determining the team with the highestscore resulting from the above steps.

As an illustration of the fourth embodiment, in a match between aplurality of individual players in which one player is ahead of theother players by a substantial margin (e.g., winning by six or moregoals, points or some score value that may not be easily reached, etc.)and would almost be guaranteed to win such that the match would becomeboring for spectators to watch, the higher scoring opportunitiesprovided by more difficult starting positions would allow other playersto get more points with riskier shots (from farther distances or greaterangles), allowing them to plan a strategy to be able to get back intocontention with the leader. Accordingly, the fourth embodiment of amethod of play may include any number of starting positions from which aplayer may have more difficulty scoring a goal from (such as cornerpositions, for example) and would receive a higher score value for suchthat individual players would be able to obtain higher scores by kickinggoals from different positions of varying difficulty and varying scorevalues. After completing one or more rounds of play, the method of thefourth embodiment may proceed by eliminating one or more of theindividual players from subsequent play. Whether or not one or moreindividual players are eliminated from subsequent play or not, themethod would conclude by proclaiming the winning player, by determiningthe individual player with the highest score resulting from playaccording to the preceding steps in the various rounds of play. In thismanner, the fourth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamebetween individual players would have much higher scoring opportunitiesthan that of conventional soccer, and it is believed would also providea more entertaining and exciting game for spectators to watch live or ontelevision, for listeners of a radio broadcast, etc.

In a fifth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type game in whichplay comprises players attempting to kick a ball into a goal, the methodof play is played between individual players. The fifth embodiment of amethod of play comprises the step of (a) identifying a starting positionfrom which each individual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalieto a goal area. The starting position may be a corner position, forexample, such as the point from where an Olympic goal is kicked. Themethod of play then proceeds to (b) having each individual playerattempt to kick a ball from the starting position past the goalie 512 tothe goal area 516 to try and obtain a goal. When all of the individualplayers have completed one kick attempt, the method then proceeds withstep (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theindividual player.

In the fifth embodiment of a method of playing a soccer-type gamebetween individual players, the method may then proceed to one or moresubsequent rounds of play. The subsequent rounds of play would comprisethe step of (d) having an individual player attempt to kick a ball fromthe same starting position identified in the first round (such as acorner kick, for example) past the goalie 512 to the goal area 516 totry and obtain a goal. The subsequent rounds of play would continue withthe steps of (e) awarding a score to the individual player for a goalkicked by the player, and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for eachplayer until an individual player reaches a predetermined number ofgoals to win the match.

In an alternate variation of the fifth embodiment of a method of playinga soccer-type game between individual players, the method mayalternatively be played without a goalie. In such a method of play, eachindividual player would attempt to kick a ball from a starting position,such as a corner position, for example, to the goal area 516. The goalarea 516 may be a reduced-size goal area, which would increase thedifficulty of scoring a goal where a goalie is not present. The goalarea 516 may also include a target area within the goal area that theindividual player attempts to kick the ball towards, where the player isawarded an additional or higher score, value, or points if the ball hitsthe target area. Alternatively, the goal area 516 may also include atleast one opening, zone, or target area (such as 542 or 544 for example)within the goal area 516, where a player that kicks a ball to theopening, zone, or target area within the goal area may, in someembodiments, receive a higher score or alternatively an additional scorecomponent.

In an alternative variation of any of the above methods of play foreither individual players or opposing teams, the alternate variation ofa method may allow a player attempting to kick a ball to the goal areato dribble the ball before attempting to kick the ball to the goal area.The alternative variation of a method would comprise the step of (a)having a player attempt to kick a ball to the goal area to obtain agoal, wherein if the player dribbles the ball before attempting to kickthe ball to the goal area, the player must complete the kick attemptwithin a predetermined amount of time from the commencement ofdribbling. Accordingly, the elements of the player advancing towards thegoalie and a limited amount of time in which to attempt a kick orforfeit the opportunity would add an extra measure of excitement to themethod of play for spectators.

In yet another alternative variation of the above method of play foropposing teams having a plurality of players, the alternate variation ofa method may comprise a predetermined number of players that willattempt to kick the ball into the goal area, wherein the attempt to kicka ball from a starting position may comprise dribbling the ball orpassing the ball before attempting to kick the ball to the goal area.The alternative variation of a method would comprise the step of (a)having at least one of a plurality of players attempt to kick a ball tothe goal area to obtain a goal, wherein once a player dribbles or kicksthe ball from the starting position, the plurality of players have apredetermined amount of time in which to score a goal, after which timeperiod the players would forfeit their opportunity to score. Theplurality of players would be entitled to pass the ball as many times asthey wish, but must complete their attempt to score within thepredetermined time period. The plurality of players would also beopposed by a number of players that will defend or attempt to preventthe plurality of players from scoring. Accordingly, the elements of aplurality of player advancing towards a goalie and defending players,and having a limited amount of time in which to attempt a kick would addan extra measure of excitement to the method of play for spectators.Additionally this variation may also be played with or without anoff-side violation for players advancing the ball beyond a defensiveplayer towards the goal.

Similarly, there is provided yet another alternative variation of any ofthe above methods of play for either individual players or opposingteams, which would entail having the player attempt to kick a ball thatis thrown to the player. In this manner, each player would attempt tokick a ball from a position that is determined by where the ball isbeing thrown to the player. In any of the above various exemplaryembodiments, an alternative method of play may comprise the step of (a)having each player attempt to kick a ball that is being thrown to theplayer, such that the position on the field from which the playerattempts to kick the ball is dependent upon where the ball is thrown.

An alternative method of play between individual players may also beprovided that comprises one or more rounds of play that includes anycombination of one or more of the above exemplary methods of play. Thisalternative embodiment would comprise a method of play that coulddetermine the most complete player having the best overall skills. Sucha method could combine different combinations of the above methods ofplay involving, for example, kick attempts with or without a goalie,kick attempts from different positions, dribbling and advancing towardsthe goalie and attempting to kick a goal within a predetermined time,and/or passing to other players in the context of a plurality of playersthat must score a goal within a predetermined period of time. The methodwould award scores to each player after every round of play, each ofwhich may entail a different embodiment of a method of play. After apredetermined number of rounds of play, the method would then determinea winning player based on the player with the most points, for example.

In yet another alternative embodiment of a method of play, the methodcomprises having a player attempt to kick a ball into a goal areawithout causing the ball to exceed a predetermined speed, above whichthe kick attempt is disqualified. In this alternate method of play, theplayer will have to control the speed of their kick and have a goodtouch to put the ball in the goal area. The speed of the ball may bemeasured or determined by a radar gun, for example. If a player kicks aball exceeding the predetermined speed in a predetermined number ofconsecutive attempts, the player would forfeit their attempt to kick agoal.

It should be noted that any of the preceding exemplary embodiments of amethod of play may be played without a goalie. In such situations, thegoal area may be of a smaller size, and may also include a smallertarget area within the goal area that the individual player attempts tokick the ball towards, where the player scores a goal if the ball hitsthe target area. Alternatively, the goal area may also include at leastone opening within the goal area, where the player must kick the ballthrough an opening within the goal area for the player to score a goal.Additionally, the goal area 516 may optionally include one or morepreferable zones (e.g., upper corners of the goal area, etc.) such thata player that kicks a ball to the more preferable zones or openings may,in some embodiments, receive a higher score or alternatively anadditional score component.

Likewise, in the various exemplary embodiments of a method of play, thestep of a player attempting to kick the ball may additionally includedribbling the ball to advance the ball towards the goal area, before theplayer attempts to kick the ball to the goal area. As an example, theplayer may be required to complete a minimum number of dribbles beforeattempting to kick the ball to the goal area. Alternatively, upondribbling the ball, the player may have a predetermined amount of timein which to kick the ball to the goal area, or else the player forfeitshis opportunity to score.

As an example, an alternative method of play for either individualplayers or opposing teams may comprise the steps of (a) having a playerattempt to kick a ball to the goal area to obtain a goal, wherein if theplayer dribbles the ball before attempting to kick the ball to the goalarea, the player must complete the kick attempt within a predeterminedamount of time from the commencement of dribbling, (b) repeating theabove step for each player until all of the players have each made onekick attempt, (c) awarding scores for each ball that is kicked to thegoal area by a player, and (d) determining a winner from the highestscore resulting from the above steps.

Similarly, the various exemplary embodiments of a method of play mayalternatively have each player attempt to kick a ball from a positionthat is determined by the ball being thrown to the player. In thevarious embodiments, the step of attempting to kick a ball from aposition on the field to the goal area to obtain a goal may comprise theball being thrown towards the player, such that the position on thefield from which the player attempts to kick the ball is dependent uponwhere the ball is thrown.

As an example, an alternative method of play for either individualplayers or opposing teams may comprise the steps of (a) having a playerattempt to kick a ball to the goal area to obtain a goal, where the ballis thrown towards the player, such that the position on the field fromwhich the player attempts to kick the ball is dependent upon where theball is thrown, (b) repeating the above step for each player until allof the players have each made one kick attempt, (c) awarding scores foreach ball that is kicked to the goal area by a player, and (d)determining a winner from the highest score resulting from the abovesteps.

The description provided in this disclosure is merely exemplary innature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of thedisclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Examples of such modifications or variationsmay include modifying the goal areas to further include fixed obstaclesvarying in size that make it more difficult for the kicker to score,and/or providing an obstruction wall formed by the opposing team'splayers, a fixed prefab wall, etc. Likewise, a goalie may attempt toblock a player's kick only with their hands, or alternatively with ahand-held object. The preferable zones disclosed above may also comprisean opening, or alternatively an angled corner, which a ball woulddeflect off of into the goal. In this manner, a kicked ball that hitsthe angled corner would be deflected in a visible manner that wouldindicate that the player's ball hit the more preferable angled corner,and the player would be awarded a higher or additional score for hittingthe preferred zone. In addition, the above embodiments need not belimited to kicking a ball, such as a soccer ball. Rather, any ball maybe used in the above methods. For example, it should be understood thatthe above methods may alternatively comprise a method of playing afield-hockey type game, in which a ball or object can be thrown towardsthe goal rather than being kicked.

1. A method of playing a game on a field between opposing teams having aplurality of players, the method comprising: (a) identifying a startingposition from which each individual player attempts to kick a ball pasta goalie into a goal area; (b) having individual players attempt to kicka ball from the starting position past a goalie into the goal area toobtain a goal; (c) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by aplayer to the player's respective team; and (d) determining the teamwith the highest score resulting from the above steps.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein each team includes an equal number of players, and allof the individual players will each make one attempt to kick a ball intoa goal area.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying astarting position comprises identifying a plurality of startingpositions from which each individual player selects a position fromwhich the player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goal area.4. The method of claim 1 wherein kick attempts alternate betweenopposing team players until all of the players have taken a kickattempt.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (e)identifying a second starting position that is at a different positionrelative to the goal than the first starting position, from which eachindividual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea, (f) having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from thesecond starting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain agoal, (g) awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player tothe player's respective team, and (h) determining the team with thehighest score resulting from steps (a) through (g).
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein the second starting position is at an angle relative tothe goal.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the second starting positionis at a distance from the goal that is greater than the distance of thefirst starting position from the goal.
 8. The method of claim 7 whereinthe method awards a score value for a goal kicked into the goal areafrom the second starting position that is higher than the score valuefor a goal kicked into the goal area from the first starting position.9. The method of claim 5 wherein the first starting position is a centerposition in front of the goal area and the second starting position is acorner position on a side of the goal area, and the method awards ahigher score value for a ball kicked by a player into the goal area fromthe corner position than for a ball kicked by a player into the goalarea from the center position.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein thescore value for a goal kicked from the center position is 1, and thescore value for a goal kicked from a corner position is at least
 2. 11.The method of claim 1 wherein the goal area includes one or morepreferable zones, and the method awards a higher score value for a ballthat is kicked into a preferable zone than for a ball that is kickedinto the goal area outside of a preferable zone.
 12. The method of claim1 wherein the goal area includes at least two preferable zones in theupper corners of the goal area, and the method awards an additionalscore value for a ball kicked by a player past a goalie into one of thepreferable zones.
 13. A method of playing a game on a field betweenopposing teams having an equal number of players, the method comprising:(a) identifying two or more positions on the field, from which eachindividual player selects a position from which the player attempts tokick a ball past a goalie into a goal area; (b) having each playerattempt to kick a ball from one of the identified positions past agoalie into the goal area to obtain a goal; (c) awarding scores for eachgoal that is kicked by a player to the player's respective team; and (d)determining the team with the highest score resulting from the abovesteps.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein kick attempts alternatebetween opposing team players until all of the players have taken a kickattempt.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein kick attempts are takensuccessively by players of the same team until all the players on thesame team have each made one kick attempt.
 16. The method of claim 13wherein the two or more positions include a first position and at leasta second position that is farther away from the goal than the firstposition, and the method awards a higher score value for a goal kickedfrom the second position than a goal kicked from the first position. 17.The method of claim 16 wherein the score value for a ball kicked intothe goal area from the first position is 1, and the score value for aball kicked into the goal area from the second position is at least 2.18. The method of claim 13 wherein the one or more positions include acenter position in front of the goal area and a corner position on aside of the goal area, and the method awards a higher score value for aball kicked by a player into the goal area from the corner position thanfor a ball kicked by a player into the goal area from the centerposition.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the score value for a ballkicked into the goal area from the center position is 1, and the scorevalue for a ball kicked into the goal area from a corner position is atleast
 2. 20. The method of claim 13 wherein the two or more positionsinclude one short-distance position and a plurality of longer distancepositions, and a player of a team is only permitted to kick from theshort-distance position when the last player of the same team kicked aball into the goal area on the team's preceding kick attempt.
 21. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the goal area further includes one or morepreferable zones, and the method awards a higher score value for a ballkicked into a preferable zone than for a goal kicked into the goal areaoutside of a preferable zone.
 22. The method of claim 13 wherein thegoal area includes at least two preferable zones in the upper corners ofthe goal area, and the method awards an additional score value for aball kicked by a player past a goalie into one of the preferable zones.23. A method of playing a game between opposing teams having a pluralityof players, the method comprising: (a) having each player attempt tokick a ball from a position to the goal area to obtain a goal; (b)awarding scores for each ball that is kicked to the goal area by aplayer to the player's respective team; and (c) determining the teamwith the highest score resulting from the above steps.
 24. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the position is at a distance about 36 feet from thegoal area.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein the ball is thrown towardsthe player, such that the position on the field from which the playerattempts to kick the ball is dependent upon where the ball is thrown.26. The method of claim 23 wherein the position on the field from whichthe ball is kicked is a fixed location selected before a player attemptsto kick the ball.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step ofattempting to kick the ball additionally includes dribbling the ball toadvance the ball towards the goal area before attempting to kick theball to the goal area.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein the playermust complete a minimum number of dribbles before attempting to kick theball to the goal area.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein upon dribblingthe ball, the player has a predetermined amount of time in which to kickthe ball to the goal area.
 30. The method of claim 23 wherein the goalarea is protected by a goalie that attempts to block a kick by theplayer, such that the player attempts to kick the ball past the goalieto the goal area.
 31. The method of claim 23 wherein the goal area isnot protected by a goalie, and the goal area is smaller in size than aconventional soccer goal area.
 32. A method of playing a game on a fieldbetween opposing teams having a plurality of players, the methodcomprising: (a) identifying a plurality of starting positions, fromwhich each individual player selects a desired starting position wherethe individual player will attempt to kick a ball to a goal area; (b)having each individual player attempt to kick a ball from the startingposition to the goal area to obtain a goal, until all of the players oneach team have each made one kick attempt; (c) awarding scores for eachgoal that is kicked by a player to the player's respective team; and (d)determining the team with the highest score resulting from the abovesteps.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the plurality of startingpositions are of varying distance from the goal and have different scorevalues associated with the various starting positions, such that aplayer may select a starting position having a higher associated scorevalue from which to attempt a kick in an attempt to obtain a higherscore value upon kicking the ball to the goal area.
 34. The method ofclaim 32 wherein the goal area is protected by a goalie, such that theplayer must kick the ball past the goalie to the goal area.
 35. Themethod of claim 32 further comprising a subsequent round including thesteps of: (e) having each individual player select from the plurality ofpositions a desired starting position where the individual player willattempt to kick a ball to a goal area; (f) having each individual playerattempt to kick a ball from a selected starting position to the goalarea to obtain a goal, until all of the players on each team have eachmade one kick attempt; (g) awarding scores for each goal that is kickedby a player during the subsequent round; and (h) determining the teamwith the overall highest score resulting from the preceding steps.
 36. Amethod of playing a game on a field between individual players, themethod comprising: (a) identifying a starting position from which eachindividual player attempts to kick a ball past a goalie into a goalarea; (b) having individual players attempt to kick a ball from thestarting position past a goalie into the goal area to obtain a goal; (c)awarding scores for each goal that is kicked by a player to theindividual player; and (d) determining an individual winner based on thehighest score value.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the position isat a distance about 36 feet from the goal area.
 38. The method of claim36 wherein the plurality of starting positions are of varying distancefrom the goal and have different score values associated with thevarious starting positions, such that a player may select a startingposition having a higher associated score value from which to attempt akick from in an attempt to obtain a higher score value in kicking theball to the goal area.
 39. The method of claim 36 wherein the goal areais protected by a goalie, such that the player must kick the ball pastthe goalie to the goal area.
 40. The method of claim 23 wherein theplayer attempts to kick a ball into a goal area without causing the ballto exceed a predetermined speed, above which the kick attempt isdisqualified.